Tuesday, March 19, 2019

State of the ZB

This was hands down the easiest equine-related winter for me since I started riding horses.

Here's why:

I didn't.

It was dark. It was cold. I did the math on taking risks driving over snow and ice in my (only) car and risking my (only) body for a hobby when y'know, bills never take a day off (and neither does my job) and it freaked me out.  For the first time in my life, I took a deep breath and said, "horses will still be there in the spring".
plus going in circles is TEH DUMZ
It's not that my beloved ZB was neglected--she's at a lovely full care farm with group turnout and is in training with my most favoritest young horse trainer two days a week. I dropped off board checks and grain and smooshed her smooshy nose and gave her (sugar-free) cookies and (fully-leaded) sugar cubes.
SMOOSH
I didn't clip. I didn't blanket. I'm growing her mane out because YOLO. I've ridden less than 10 times in the last 4 months. My tack is dirty. My trunk is a mess. I haven't bought a bit or a bridle or really anything horse related in the longest time I can remember since I've been an adult.
SO MUCH HAIR
Now it's trying hard to be spring and my head is in a much better place.

Sunny afternoons and green grass poking through the mud just start speaking to me in a way icy roads and dark indoors never do.
so cute
And see.

ZB is still the best horse I've ever had in my life.
look i took one lesson
And I wasn't kidding when I said she changed all my expectations for myself.
why yes my first ride in two weeks was bareback down the ditchbank on my baby mare
And more than that, all my expectations for the people around me.
is that the boy riding the zb bareback?
yes that's the boy riding zb bareback

We're still here.

Life is doing some unpredictable things right now (doesn't it always?). I have a Plan A and a Plan B and a Plan C and a couple ideas for variations on any of those at any given time. None of those plans is rated shows and pressure and "back to the grind" in terms of horse expenses.

Here's to a year like none other.

10 comments:

  1. <3 this and love your whole self-discovery journey that we've been able to follow through this blog. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Sometimes we just need that break. And it's nice when we get it!

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  3. Your happiness and new POV on life is almost tangible! I'm very happy you're enjoying everything as it comes and feeling good about it all.

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  4. It sounds like you are in a really good place right now.

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  5. Bogging off for the winter was the best thing I ever did for my riding.

    Breaks are important, especially with horses. And when you have a good ZB they let you take them!!

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  6. Aw love you and ZB. So glad you were able to enjoy winter and not have to worry about what kind of horse you'd be riding when you decided you wanted to ride! I'm looking forward to seeing what 2019 has in store for you<3

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  7. Happy spring lady!! Enjoy life wherever it takes you

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  8. I cannot remember Black Beauty or The Black Stallion having pulled manes; a thick, fully grown out mane is a beautiful thing!

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  9. This is all that really matters.

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